Central Zone Dominates Day 2 of Duleep Trophy 2025-26 Final in Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence turned into a battlefield on Friday, where Central Zone grabbed a strong upper hand in the Duleep Trophy 2025-26 final. Rajat Patidar and Yash Rathod smashed brilliant centuries to power their team to 384 for 5 by stumps, putting South Zone on the back foot with a 235-run lead.
The day started tough for Central. They trailed by 99 runs on a tricky pitch under cloudy skies that swung the ball. South’s Vasuki Koushik struck early, sending back captain Akshay Wadkar with a wicked inswinger that rattled the stumps. Gurjapneet Singh kept the heat on with his fiery pace—clocking mid-130s and making batters dance. He claimed Shubham Sharma, who dragged one onto his stumps, and later Danish Malewar, who fought hard for 53 off 120 balls. At 93 for 3 after 33 overs, South Zone smelled a fightback.
Enter Rajat Patidar, the Central skipper, who flipped the script. He got off to a smooth start, cracking drives against Koushik and keeping the scoreboard ticking with Rathod. Patidar hit his fifty in 72 balls, blending solid defense with smart attacks. Luck smiled on him too—umpires gave him out lbw on 44, but replays showed a no-ball. He grabbed the lifeline and raced to his 15th first-class ton with sweeps, elegant drives, and a cheeky upper-cut six off Gurjapneet. Their 167-run stand not only erased the deficit but swung the momentum Central’s way.
Yash Rathod complemented Patidar perfectly. The 25-year-old started steady but exploded after settling in, whipping shots through midwicket and punishing loose balls. He notched his seventh first-class century post-tea, roaring in joy as he took off his helmet. Rathod stayed not out on 137, showing real class and poise.
Gurjapneet bounced back to snag Patidar for 101, and Nidheesh got Upendra Yadav with a leg-side trap. But Central didn’t slip. Rathod linked up with Saransh Jain—who’d scored a fifty in the semi-final—and they piled on 108 runs in the final session off just 32 overs. South grabbed the second new ball late in the 101st over, but the pitch had flattened out, offering no help.
As stumps were drawn, Central Zone at 384 for 5 (Rathod 137*, Patidar 101; Gurjapneet 3/74) looks set to seal the Duleep Trophy final. South Zone’s 149 all out leaves them trailing by 235 runs. Cricket fans, this match is heating up—stay tuned for day three!
Brief scores: South Zone 149 trail Central Zone 384/5 in 104 overs (Yash Rathod 137*, Rajat Patidar 101; Gurjapneet Singh 3/74) by 235 runs.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
